Nick Faure named VCSU Valedictorian is

May 10, 2012

When Nick Faure began his four-year career at Valley City State University, he didnâ€™t expect to have the opportunity to study abroad twice as well as play a key role in starting the Pre-Professional Club.
Faure, a Valley City native, took on the challenge of three majors: Chemistry, Health Science, and Biology. He was also involved in a number of activities on campus: he was president of the Pre-Professional Club, a member of Student Center, a Viking Ambassador and was involved in Spanish Club and the Environmental Task Force.

â€śHe knew what he wanted and was determined to get that,â€ť Associate Professor of Science Hilde van Gijssel said.

Faure also holds the record for the most hours dedicated to community service at the medicine wheel, putting in more than 250 hours.
Despite the time crunch of balancing three majors, two jobs and numerous activities, he is not overwhelmed. He also spent time assisting and tutoring fellow students.

â€śI have seen him on several occasions in the laboratory assisting students doing make-up work on laboratory assignment that they had missed,â€ť said Joe Stickler, VCSU Science professor and division chair.

Among many great opportunities Faure had at VCSU, he most notably remembers playing a role in the startup of the Pre-Professional Club with van Gijssel and other students. The club prepares students for applying to professional schools post graduation--a process quite familiar to Faure.

He was accepted to dental school at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Ore., where he will begin his next adventure.
Two adventures Faure fondly remembers are his travels abroad. He traveled to China in collaboration with Chinese university Zhejiang Economic and Trade Polytechnic to China and to Peru through a collaboration with Minot State University. The opportunity to study abroad let him see a lot more than what North Dakota has shown him he said.

â€śChina and Peru are so very different from America. Travel is the biggest defense against prejudice,â€ť Faure quoted.

Faure particularly enjoyed his microbiology and organic chemistry classes. â€śBoth were very difficult classes, but they could relate back to everyday life. I really enjoyed the challenge that they presented.â€ť
Faure credits the entire science department in helping him succeed at VCSU. â€śTheyâ€™ve all been very helpful.â€ť

That support goes both ways. Van Gijssel said that Faure has contributed significantly to the science department.

â€śVCSU is a pretty small school. Itâ€™s nice to have support system,â€ť Faure said.

When asked what advice he would offer to fellow and new-coming students, Faure said, â€śTake advantage of the opportunities. Get involved in activities that you wouldnâ€™t normally do.â€ť